Kalaburagi: Tension prevailed in Kalaburagi city after a shocking case of moral policing came to light, where a young Hindu man was brutally assaulted by a mob for giving a lift to a Muslim woman. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon near Santraswadi, under MB Nagar police station limits.
According to police sources, Bylappa (21), a resident of the area, was riding his bike with a young woman who works as a nurse at a private hospital in Kalaburagi city. Reportedly, the woman, who belongs to the Muslim community, had requested Bylappa to drop her home after she was unable to find an auto.
However, as the duo were passing near Santraswadi, a group of about 10-15 men stopped them and began questioning Bylappa. The group, allegedly enraged that a Hindu youth was travelling with a Muslim woman, soon turned violent. Armed with sticks, the mob assaulted Bylappa, snatched his bike keys, a silver chain, and around Rs. 3,500 in cash. After beating him severely, they threw him to the side of the road and fled the spot.
Hearing Bylappa’s cries for help, local residents rushed to his aid and informed the police. He was shifted to the Trauma Care Centre in Kalaburagi city, where he is currently undergoing treatment for multiple injuries.
Following the incident, Bylappa lodged a complaint with the MB Nagar police station. Acting on the complaint, police launched a swift investigation and have so far arrested six accused — Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Rehan, Mohammad Uzair, Mohammad Faiz, and Mohammad Asif. Search is on to nab the remaining accused who were part of the mob.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered outrage among Hindu organisations in the city. Activists from the Hindu Jagruti Sena staged a protest demanding strict action against those involved and urged the police to book all the attackers under stringent sections. They also called for measures to curb increasing instances of moral policing, which they say are infringing upon individual freedom and communal harmony.
Senior police officials have assured that those responsible will be brought to justice and that no one will be spared. Extra police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any escalation of communal tension.
The incident has once again highlighted the rising trend of vigilantism and moral policing in parts of Karnataka, drawing widespread condemnation from civil society and local leaders who have demanded that the state government act firmly to prevent such attacks in the future.
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